Chelsea Court
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Peabody
Hunters provided Principal Designer and Employer’s Agent services during the renovation of 74 flats. Chelsea Court is general tenanted (with focus on later living) affordable housing which was originally built around 1895 as a mansion block containing 18 flats as part of a development with 23 townhouses on Chelsea Embankment.
Hunters ensured the homes are fit for purpose with improved fire safety, a complete upgrade of all mechanical and electrical elements, refurbished living spaces, two new lifts and replacement windows and insulation. The ground floor of the west wing has been extended and now houses the new entrance and front reception to the building with shared facilities including a library, activities room, communal lounge and kitchen.
Complex design plan
Listed building renovation
Predominantly later living
Over the subsequent decades there were varying alterations and subdivisions within its current footprint, with the building being all but empty after Second World War. It has been reported that during this post-war period the building was predominantly used as Nurses accommodation for those working at the nearby Royal Hospital. The building became empty between 1983 and 1989, with a later-living conversation commencing in 1987.
The flats vary in size and layout, creating a complex delivery plan, with all flats providing separate bedrooms and open plan kitchen / lounge areas. Many original features, including fireplaces, have been retained and restored. The external brickwork has been renovated, the slate roof coverings have been renewed along with associated leadwork, rainwater goods and the building fabric repaired to ensure it is fit for the future. Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery has been introduced to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the year, while the gardens have also been relandscaped.
The project was delivered in three phases to minimise disruption and resident movement. The first phase comprised the refurbishment of 20 flats in the west wing, followed by 29 flats in the east wing and 25 flats in the north wing are currently in the early stages of remodelling.
This Victorian building is located within the Chelsea Royal Hospital Conservation Area, just off Chelsea Embankment and Embankment Gardens. The Royal Hospital is located to the east of the site and is the current freehold owner of Chelsea Court. The site benefits from excellent views across the River Thames towards Battersea Park
